Issue 5

The Coopers' Company and Coborn School’s Alumni Newsletter—July 2017

A recent foray into the world of Facebook has reinforced some things that I probably already knew, firstly that our extremely diverse alumni still have a great deal of pride in their old school even though many years have elapsed and life’s trials, tribulations and joys have intervened and secondly, many of our alumni keep in touch with the friends they made at school. In fact his year two school reunions have taken place and the first in January was held in the august surroundings of the Coopers’ Hall in Devonshire Square. Some fifty alumni including some from the boy’s school in Bow met in these historic surroundings and it was good to see this predominantly male gathering exchange news with each other and the former staff who attended and who included David Young, Kevin and Nicole Chapman and Sylvia Findlay. Dr Parry welcomed the guests and the evening zipped along with the help of attentive and bottle bearing school captains. On May 17th, on what was a very wet night a smaller group of alumni, some from the Coopers’ School in Bow but mostly from more recent school years met in the dining room. Doris Peat who was awarded an MBE in 2011 presided over the dinner queue as of old; the school captains complete with umbrellas, showed the guests around the school which had in the intervening years greatly expanded and who enjoyed the display of memorabilia that had been curated by Liz Evans. Liz organised both events and is happy to assist any other groups who may wish to hold a reunion.

Through social media a number of alumni have been in touch. Diane Noakes (formerly Jones) attended our school between 1970 and 1977 and now lives in Hayfield near Manchester. Diane is married to Richard who worked for Hewlett Packard and they have two sons. William is reading chemistry at Sheffield and Jacob, a great sportsman who plays in no less than five cricket teams , is about to enter year eleven. Diane is about to take early retirement (I was asked to stress that!) from a career in teaching which she has clearly enjoyed. Diane as a student was always enthusiastic and bursting with energy and it appears from her “postings” that she has managed to increase this, a millionfold, in terms of both her private and professional life. In those long forgotten times when “cookery” was taken seriously Diane proved herself something ofa patissier and my Friday afternoons were enlivened by the prospect of some delicate morsel prepared under the watchful eye of Mrs Jenny Hollins being delivered to room 2.1! Ever thought of auditioning for the “Bake Off”? Diane intends to use her time to watch more sport and catch up with her friends in the north and the south and looking after her two rescue dogs.

Diane Noakes and family

1 Joanne Corrie who attended the Upminster School reminded me that her mother June was one of our gallant band of school cooks that fed us all so well and at a time when the drama studios were dining rooms and many more sat down to lunch. Mrs Corrie worked with Mrs Horne whose name still strikes fear into many who attended school in the seventies and eighties. Her hearing was very sensitive and complaints and any request to deviate from “the menu” were treated with scorn! Mrs Horne was not a deferential member of staff and I recall after one altercation with no less a person than “JRF” her remarking that had she been a man she would have rolled up her sleeves and “popped” him on the nose. Mrs Corrie was by contrast much more approachable.

One of the most loved people at school and a true gentleman was the late Len Knapp who for many years was our Schoolkeeper; I was delighted to hear from his daughter Sue who still lives in where her family appears to be keeping her very busy. Sue is in contact with Michelle Morris (formerly Allan) also now lives in Essex with her husband and is the proud mother of three children in their late teens and twenties (just) namely Joe, Daniel and Kara. Michelle’s Facebook indicated to me that an excuse for a celebration is never required and any time is party time “chez Morris”.

It used to be said that if you stood in Piccadilly Circus long enough you would meet someone you knew! West Ham seems to be the place these days as commuters from Essex and East join the Jubilee Line. I recently encountered a cheerful Daniel Downes on his way to Canary Wharf and met Rory Flood who is training to be a chef at the Lanesborough Hotel. The last time we spoke Rory was hoping to gain experience with Michel Roux Junior at the Manoir aux Quatre Saisons.

In December2016, the annual Prizegivings took place in the Sports Hall and the guest speakers were both alumni. The Lower and Upper school were addressed by Benjamin Bland (1995-2002) who is a journalist with the BBC. Ben, the eldest son of local GP Tim Bland and his wife Dr Therese Bland, studied at Cambridge University and has worked for the BBC in Manchester and in Essex. Ben regularly appears on television news bulletins and had the difficult job of covering on air last August’s terrorist attack in Nice.

Ben Bland

Martin Saywell the guest speaker at the evening event shared a platform with the Master of the Worshipful Company of Coopers. Martin, the eldest son of Mrs Pat Saywell and the late Mr Denis Saywell, attended the school between 1972 and 1979 and studied law at University College London. Based on his own experience, as a would-be commodity broker Martin took as his theme the need to deal in a robust manner with what he described as his bad choice of career and an early sense of failure and disappointment. Martin is now a partner in Latham and Watkins a Los Angeles law firm that deals with private and public mergers, acquisitions and private equity transactions and restructurings. Martin was introduced by the Chair of Governors Jacey Graham who had been in the same A level history group as our guest speaker and both gained grade As to the great relief of yours truly, this being one of my first A level history classes shared with the watchful and exacting Martin Jolly who would have been immensely proud to see two of his former students at this event. Martin Saywell

It is hard to believe that this July marks the fifteenth anniversary of Martin’s untimely death at the age of only fifty-five. Punctilious with the written word Martin would hate tobe remembered as a Coopers - Coborn “icon” but that he certainly was. Alumni speak of him with a mixture of reverence and affection and he was what every Headteacher needs, a Deputy who is unafraid to speak the truth. Martin worked at the school from 1973 until his death in 2002 and to say that he was devoted to the institution and its students is an understatement. He was the religious and moral backbone of the school during those years and had great influence over all our lives. On the lighter side Martin possessed a dry sense of humour and greatly enjoyed performing in school productions and as a Chairman of our Musical Halls he was unsurpassed.

Martin Jolly

2 Pat Murray who taught biology at the school in the mid-seventies has contacted The Bugle. Pat is living in Cairo with her husband Rick who teaches at the American University. Pat spent several years in Aleppo but left in 2000 when her husband was to take up a teaching post in the West Bank as part of a multi -lateral cooperative project. This plan had to be aborted when the Intifada broke out so Pat and her husband and two boys Ian and Daniel had to move to Cairo where they survived the revolution and its aftermath. As Pat said in her email “life has not been dull”. Pat’s sons have both studied in the States and now reside there as going “home” to Aleppo is not an option. Pat helps out at a local nursery school and is endeavouring to learn Arabic. Pat, even as a young teacher, always seemed to be cool, calm and collected and these qualities have surely been a great asset during her family’s odyssey around the troubled Middle East.

Those who live in the Southend area and read the local Echo might have read an article about alumna Louisa Roome and her “dream” job working for the Dogs Trust in . Louisa from Upminster has worked for the Trust for three years and is one of twenty six people whose job it is to rescue, attend upon and find new homes for stray and unwanted dogs. Louisa’s enthusiasm for her canine charges is undeniable, the routine is tough but Louisa clearly enjoys her work.

Ali Picton & her Mayor of London colleagues

Former school captain Alison Picton known to her friends as Ali can frequently be seen on our television screens and given the recent horrors and atrocities in London probably more than she would have wished. Ali is Sadiq Khan’s Head of Operations and Senior Adviser one newspaper calling her “The Keeper of the Gate” as anyone seeking the mayor has to go through Ali. Ali began working with Sadiq Khan when he was an MP for Tooting. Ali was a guest speaker at a school prize giving in 2013 and gave an inspiring address. None would doubt her capacity in the role that she now fulfils. Ali has the commitment and ability to succeed in the highest echelons of British political life.

Also working at County Hall is another former student Jules (Julian Pipe) who before he became one of Sadiq Khan’s deputies had been a journalist and was elected mayor of Hackney three times. In 2010 while he was mayor, Hackney was voted Council of the Year in what was described as “a meteoric rise”. Jules was awarded a CBE for his contribution to public life and in 2016 was made Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills. Dick Brown who taught politics and economics at school in the seventies alerted me to this piece of news.

Julian Pipe

3 Ben Williams (1984 -91) comes from a stalwart Liberal Democrat family and his father recently stood as prospective candidate in the Camborne constituency in Cornwall. While at school Ben was keen on productions and in 1989 he played the part of Luiz in “The Gondoliers”. Ben entered the world of Westminster politics in 1996 where he was political assistant to the Liberal Democrats in Devon and Cornwall. From 1998 until 2010 Ben ran the Liberal Democrat Whips office and was Special Adviser to the Coalition from 2010 until 2015. In the post - election honours list Ben was awarded an OBE and after a few weeks in the political wilderness became adviser to the then Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron. Ben leads a busy life but gets relief from the vagaries of British politics by writing poetry; to date Ben has compiled two volumes, “Nooks and Dark Corners” and “Fragments and Reflections” and both are published by Lone Crow. Ben’s family have moved from to Cornwall where Ben’s sister Ellie also lives. Ellie a performer and an artist of great talent moved to Falmouth to study at the Cornwall University and decided to stay in the Duchy after she had graduated.

Grace Taylor

Recently I met up with Ben at the funeral of Grace Taylor who at ninety-four was one of the two oldest surviving Coborn girls. Grace’s daughters Rosemary and Ann asked me to reflect at her funeral upon the amazing contribution to school life that over many decades Grace had made. Grace was a pillar of the Parents’ Association making thousands of crackers for the Christmas Fair, scores of PE bags for Miss Bradley and while making many hundreds of costumes for school productions she even wore out her sewing machine. While in her late eighties she served in the library as assistant to several school librarians and even after she “retired” in 2012 Grace was a frequent visitor at school functions and productions. Grace hailed from Poplar and in 1934 she won a scholarship to Coborn. She was proud of her school and grateful for all that it had given her. Grace in return gave a huge amount of loyalty, love and support back to our school. She will be greatly missed.

We were saddened to learn from Andrew Hebron of the tragic death of alumna Amanda Mc Shee who attended our school between 1975 and 1982. Amanda died in the London Hospital following a tragic accident on the A12. Our sympathy goes to Amanda’s family and friends. It appears that Amanda had for many years been suffering from depression. May she now rest in peace.

It was in memory of Amy Haskell that Emma Garcia ran in the London Marathon raising in the process funds for Headway the Brain Injury Association. Emma finished the race in 4 hours 49.41 seconds. A successful cake sale had also been organised by Amy’s family and friends.

Emma Garcia

4 In October 2016 some of you might have seen an article in the London Evening Standard and a photograph of Lisa and Pippa Wilson who had collected an award from the Order of St John for organ donation on behalf of alumnus Tom Wilson who died following an accident at Hockey Club. Tom was on the organ donor register and this gesture resulted in the quality of the lives of many being improved or saved. Mrs Wilson has established a charity, The Tom Wilson Memorial Fund to foster research into head injuries and brain tumours. Tom’s father, Graham passed away two months after the death of his son. Both father and son were remembered at the Rio Olympics when gold medal winning hockey player Susannah Townsend wore a Union flag emblazoned with the words “For Tom and G Wilson”.

Pippa and Lisa Wilson

Mrs Joy Cochrane MBE is enjoying her retirement in Wallington, Surrey. Joy and Len moved there to be near son Ian (1973 - 1980) and Jane (1975 -1982). Ian has been married to his wife Antonia for over twenty years, they have two children Charlie and Lucy and the family is based in Farnham where Ian has his own business Gazing Performance Systems. This is a development organisation helping individuals, teams and organisations to perform more effectively and is used by corporate clients and those involved in sport. Ian still keeps in touch with many contemporary alumni and they meet socially each year. Jane married Jimmy Fuller (1975 – 1982) and lives in Surrey.

We were pleased to hear from Michael Smith who is now a clergyman in the Church of . Michael candidly pointed out that school was not always to his liking but he like many recalls the school productions with affection. Michael was “hooked” on performing after he played the role of Julius Caesar in “1066 and All That”. He also informed us that while training for the clergy he met fellow alumnus Ian Snares who had also decided to change career to become a “gentleman of the cloth”. After leaving school in 1986 Michael went to work for the Insurance Brokers Roger Lark and Sons. Working there, thanks to the good offices of Colin Churchett were many alumni, so many in fact that they referred to themselves as “the Coopers’ Seventh Form”. In 1988 Michael joined a religious community in France but returned in 1990 when he met and married his wife Nikki. He resumed his career in Insurance but started studying at Lancaster University Management School. In 2008 Michael joined the Anglican Church and was ordained in 2011. Michael’s parish is in Hampshire and he now has three sons Chris, Alex and Matthew.

5 Chloe Pearse graduated last year with a 2.1 from Portsmouth University. After a short break during which she travelled to Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, which she toured on a moped, Chloe began working in Human Resources for the Waterman Group, an engineering consultancy based at London Bridge. Chloe describes her travels as “amazing” and feels that this journey greatly enhanced her confidence. The Company is sponsoring Chloe’s CIPD course and Chloe is looking forward to her career in HR.

While at Portsmouth University Chloe was reunited with contemporary alumna Catherine Norris who after a year studying physiotherapy changed to an art degree course. Anyone having the luck to have seen Catherine’s work lauded this change and this summer she gained a first class honours degree and will be embarking upon a career in design specialising in interiors. Catherine also won an award for the best design portfolio.Congratulations go to Catherine on her success with best wishes for her future career. Ainslie Plews is also to be congratulated on the 2.1 that she has obtained this summer in Architecture and Planning from the University of the West of England. Congratulations also go to Jessica Hull who has obtained a 2.1 in Food and Nutrition at Sheffield Hallam University. Chloe Pearse

Sebastien Pearce graduated from Kent University with a 2.1 in Business Administration and French. Sebastien spent a year in France at the Erasmus University and enjoyed what he describes as “a laid back lifestyle”; his French, no doubt to his mother Mrs Anne Gritti-Pearce’s relief, became fluent! Sebastien now works for Constantine, a fine art shipping company inthe Gallery and Collectors department. He coordinates the transportation of exhibits to Art Fairs like the Frieze Fair in London and all over the world. Seb’s professional travels have taken him as far as Brazil.

Perhaps the most unusual email I have received from an alumnus came from the Ukraine and was sent by Ralph Logan who attended school in Upminster. Ralph went to Sandhurst (1987 -1988) and served in the British Army until he left and joined the police force. He rose to the rank of Superintendent. Between 2011 and 2014 Ralph’s work took him to Afghanistan. Ralph and his family live in Northumberland. I am sure that there is a novel in there somewhere Ralph!

It was also good to hear from Danielle Evans (formerly Clarke) who was at school between 1985 and 2002. Danielle lives in Milton Keynes with her husband Jonathan and sons Ben, seven and Lucas, four. Danielle worked for Deloittes and then became a tax tutor, training those who wished to become accountants. Danielle works mainly from home, publishes and updates teaching material and manuals and teaches would be accountants on fifty days a year. Danielle is about to start a new career as a Qualifications Technical Assistant on tax examinations for the ACCA. Danielle is a busy mum but manages a successful home life and was able to bring me up to speed on the lives of some of her fellow alumni. Lucy Barrett works in theatre marketing (no surprises there) writes comedy and is currently preparing a film script. Lucy’s sister, Hannah is married to James Astley and is a speech therapist. Sophie Barrett is a primary school teacher as are Katie Roberts and Ian Wilson. Lauren Walker has been working in banking and lives in West London while Martin Lazenby is married with two children and is a dentist in . Jenny Marks now Royston works for the Home Office in Leeds.

Danielle Evans (formerly Clarke)

6 Many more of our students appear to be entering the teaching profession. I recently heard from Andy Johnson who is Acting Head of English at Gaynes School in Upminster. Anand Shaunak worked in Insurance and Commercial Law then did a PGCE with Schools Direct. He now teaches languages.

Julie Delaney (formerly Murphy) attended the school between 1980 and 1985. Julie has been working in media for the past twenty five years and is married with two daughters and lives in Hampstead. Julie and many of you will have great memories of Martin Jolly’s production of “Oliver”. Julie’s Mum played the cameo role of Old Sal whose confession solves the mystery of Oliver’s parentage. Sadly both Mr and Mrs Murphy have now passed away.

Daniel Ingram Brown

Alumnus Daniel Ingram Brown in his capacity as an author visited the school and spoke to our own budding writers. Dan left school and studied Stage Management at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts but decided to pursue a degree at Leeds in Philosophy and Sociology. However, Dan was quickly fully absorbed in the artistic life of university and amongst many other productions adapted and directed an updated version of Dario Fo’s “The Accidental death of an Anarchist” forthe Edinburgh Festival. After university Dan was involved in twenty five productions with the Pointed Arrow Theatre Company, one of which was taken to Hong Kong. Dan runs the Suitcase and Spectacles Theatre Group; he chairs the Leeds Bookend Festival and is writing a version of “The Wind in the Willows” for a promenade performance in Knaresborough where he lives with his wife and son. Dan is also heavily involved with a writing project based at the Leeds Beckett University. Dan’s books go under the heading of The Firebird Chronicles and include “The Rise of the Shadow Stealers” and “The Nemesis Charm”.

Dan’s sisters, twins Rachael and Rebecca attended our school. Rachael is a clinical psychologist and lives in Hampshire with her husband and two children while Rebecca and her family live in Dublin where she teaches drama.

Michelle Bennett (formerly Mills) whose two daughters attended the Upminster School was herself a former student as are her siblings Christopher, Wendy, Tylden, who died at a tragically early age, Joanne and Richard. Alumna Michelle was a dedicated and successful sportswoman. Michelle alerted me to the fact that Richard has been made an Assistant Commissioner in the London Fire Brigade. Richard joined the Service at nineteen and has been with the Brigade for twenty five years; he was based originally in North East London. I think that Mrs Mills and her late husband must hold the record for the greatest number of students attending the Upminster School and it is good to see that the tradition is being continued.

I was delighted to hear from Ralda Poulter (formerly Mitchell ) who suggested via Facebook that I had probably forgotten who she was. I was pleased to enlighten her that she was mistaken and was able to record our eventful school trips to Germany and beyond when I was Head of the Fifth Form! Carl Mitchell, Ralda’s brother and Katy Rodwell live in Little Easton ina property on the estate formerly owned by Daisy, the “Red” Countess of Warwick, mistress of Edward VII that had been built for the Countess’ grand-daughter. Roxi Mitchell I am pleased to say has also been in touch; on leaving school Roxi undertook work experience in Glasgow and as she says “three weeks turned into five years”. Roxi works as a project manager and is happy loving north of the border! Roxi asked to be remembered to Mrs Regan and Mrs Dunn who were both pleased to hear that Roxy was doing well.

7 Damon Lane attended school between 1980 and 1988 and was an active musician, appearing in several school shows taking the part of Pish Tush in the Mikado. Damon lectures in Sociology, Education and Politics and three of his four children attended our school. Jack left this year and hopes to study history at Plymouth University. Beth has completed her first year at the University of East London and Amy has graduated with a first class honours degree in Biomedical Science. She may well continue her studies in the autumn but this summer will be taking the UKCAT and climbing Ben Nevis. Mrs Kate Lane is justifiably proud of her four children and delighted to share this news with us.

Alumna Zara Goozee was a member of the ill-fated Cambridge University crew whose boat sank during the race in 2016 but also a member of the team that brought home victory for Cambridge in March 2017. In spite of being in her own words “dire” at school PE . Zara took up rowing in 2009 when she arrived at Downing College and after interminable hours of training became a member of the University Women’s Team. Those who taught her, remember Zara as an incredibly intelligent, charming and modest young woman. Zara obtained a BA in Natural Sciences and specialised in Cognitive Neuro Science. Zara is now undertaking a PHD in Experimental Psychology.

Zara Goozee

Keeping to the world of academia we are pleased to draw your attention to the fact that Dr Otto Saumarez Smith is Shuffey Junior Research Fellow in Architectural History at Lincoln College Oxford. Otto has written five articles on twentieth century urban architecture published in learned journals. Otto and his brother Ferdinand each spent five years with us before moving to Bedales where they studied for A levels. Otto undertook his PHD at St. John’s College Cambridge. Between 2010 and 2013 Ferdy studied for a BA in Fine Art at the Chelsea College of Art and Design.

Dr Otto Saumarez Smith

This newsletter is already in danger of becoming a book! I am grateful for the information imparted to me that will now appear in the next newsletter and apologise for having to cut this “opus” short! The next Bugle will be out after the summer vacation and will have contributions from Mr Findlay and Dr Lloyd and will celebrate the success of some of our alumni in the world of theatre, music, law and opera. There will also be news about a group of Coopers’ Boys and their schooldays in Bow. I leave you with a photograph taken in March at the Barber Surgeon’s Hall on the occasion of The Livery Society annual dinner. The President this year is alumnus, Christopher Nicholls and shows former Headmaster Colin Churchett with long serving members of staff Julian Teece, Sarah Cheale and Karen Pack. The dinner is attended by liverymen and freeman ofthe Worshipful Company of Coopers who are member of the Livery Society and their guests.

Julian Teece, Sarah Cheale, Colin Churchett and Karen Pack

Have a great Summer! Barry Wellington, [email protected]

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